By Restituto Cayubit
The Department of Health Regional Office 8 (DOH-8) based in Palo, Leyte, has reported additional five new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Eastern Visayas on Friday. This is according to John Paul Roca, DOH-8 regional information officer.
Roca said that with this new five confirmed positive cases, all from Tarangnan, Samar, the total number of COVID-19 patients is now at 19 in Eastern Visayas. Tarangnan now has a total of 11 confirmed cases.
Tarangnan Mayor Arnel Tan, according to Roca, tested negative for COVID-19.
Dr. Minerva Molon, DOH-8 regional director, said that there is now a local COVID-19 transmission in the region.
“There is already a local transmission, particularly in Tarangnan. I would like to emphasize the importance of staying at home, and observe strict home isolation if you have symptoms. This is to stop the spread of the virus,” Molon said.
Molon emphasized that to contain the spread of the virus to the nearby municipalities, the local chief executive must strictly enforce the enhanced community quarantine.